Riccardo Calafiori says Arsenal are entering the part of the campaign they worked for all year, with Mikel Arteta’s side still fighting on multiple fronts heading into a key stretch.
Riccardo Calafiori believes Arsenal are entering the stage of the season they have been building towards since pre-season, with the defender describing the run-in as “the best part” of the campaign. Speaking in Arsenal’s Champions League pre-match press conference ahead of the second leg against Bayer Leverkusen, the Italy international said the squad had worked all year to reach this point, with major matches now arriving across both domestic and European competitions.
Calafiori: 'It's a dream to be here' as Arsenal enter defining run-in
Riccardo Calafiori says Arsenal have spent the entire season building towards this moment, describing the coming weeks as "the best part" of the campaign ahead of Tuesday's Champions League second leg against Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates.
"I think especially now, from March on to the next few months, it's the best part of the season," the Italy international said. "You started so early in the pre-season and then you work so hard to get to this point, to be in the competition and to be so close to winning. I think it's a dream to be here."
Calafiori says Arsenal have worked all year for this stage
Arsenal go into the tie needing a win to reach the quarter-finals, one of several high-stakes fixtures arriving in quick succession. The Carabao Cup Final against Manchester City takes place this Sunday at Wembley, whilst Mikel Arteta's side also remain in contention in the Premier League and FA Cup. The fixtures the dressing room has been waiting for have now arrived all at once.
Defender also pointed to Arsenal's mindset
Calafiori was asked about his goal-line clearance in Saturday's win over Everton, a moment that preserved three points when Arsenal's defensive structure was under pressure late in the match.
"I think it is the best so far," he said. "It was so important for the result and the team. I'm really happy about this. As we say, we love to defend our house and our goal, and we try to do everything we can."
That collective defensive identity has been a consistent thread under Arteta, with every outfield player expected to contribute when the goal is under threat. With Calafiori's intervention against Everton a straightforward illustration of that culture in action.
Focus now turns to Leverkusen
The Leverkusen tie remains live, with a place in the last eight at stake at the Emirates on Tuesday night. For Calafiori, the message was simple: Arsenal have worked all year to reach precisely this kind of moment, and the run-in is now here.